Cleveland Browns pick-a-player: Adding one free agent from each NFC West team
By Nick Swanson
Los Angeles Rams – John Johnson III, Safety
Going into this piece, I was really set on Leonard Floyd, one of the edge rushers for the Los Angeles Rams. I had completely forgotten that one of my favorite players, and hopeful soon-to-be Cleveland Brown, John Johnson III was a free agent. The Rams of a ton of good free agents hitting the market, Johnson, Floyd, Gerald Everett, Samson Ebukam, and Darious Williams are the ones that are headlining this year’s class. I have to go with John Johnson III.
Johnson is an incredible defensive playmaker. He has played both safety positions so far in his young career for the Rams and has blossomed into a star while doing it. One of the better safeties in the league, Johnson has shown that he’s a big-time player and continually produces at a borderline elite level. At only 25 years old, Johnson has made his mark in the NFL putting up 350 tackles, 32 pass breakups, and 8 interceptions in his 54 career games.
His versatility would allow him to move around and play not only both safety positions but even potentially in the sub-package linebacker role in case of any injuries or suspensions that may occur. Safety is a huge position of need for the Browns as they were stuck with Andrew Sendejo and Karl Joseph for most of the year in 2020. He would make an immediate impact on this Browns defense and would help solidify the secondary on a team that is seemingly one piece away from a serious playoff push.